20 November 2024

Some waders & gulls – Al Uqair

Whilst birding at Al Uqair in November I photographed a few Greater Sand Plover on the edge of the Arabian Gulf. In Saudi Arabia it is an extremely rare breeding migrant, common passage migrant, common winter visitor occurring widely throughout Saudi Arabia on migration (Feb–Apr, Aug–Sep), especially on the coasts. A few Kentish Plover were also present along with a dark Phase Western Reef Heron. Apart from a few Socotra Cormorants about the only other birds were several Slender-billed Gull. A little further down the beach were Lesser Sand Plover, Dunlin, Sanderling and a few more Greater Sand Plover and Kentish Plover.

Slender-billed Gull


Kentish Plover

Kentish Plover

Kentish Plover

Kentish Plover

Greater Sand Plover

Greater Sand Plover

Greater Sand Plover

Greater Sand Plover